Rights Holder: Copyright retained by illustrator
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
ADZE
Unique ID: PUBLIC-111805
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A core tool, worked on a nodule of unflawed brown flint. It is here described as an adze because it has a 'D' section and the butt has been thinned; both implying that it is hafted as an adze. However it may have been used in the hand as a pick. Mesolithic and Early Neoliothic tools of both descriptions are known and this tool fits Butler(2005) description of a 'Hassocks adze', found in a limited distribution south of the Thames. This tool has had 2 successive large flakes removed longitudinally to leave a flat side. This has been used as a platform to refine the pointed end, removing invasive flakes through the cortex over the dorsal surface. The plan of the working tip is convex and nosed in that the width of the tip is less than that of the tool; the symmetrical tip being terminated by a blunt notch on each side. There is little work on the rest of the margin but for a very abraded straight section on the mesal part of the right dorsal side. This undercuts on to the ventral surface. It may be for a comfortable hand hold or so as not to cut sinew when hafted. The butt has had a transverse flake removed. This has served as a platform from which a large dorsal flake was removed. A further blade-like thinning flake was struck off to refine this. Whether this was for handhold or fixing into the haft is open to question. Finally there is some blunting abrasion on the ventral side to the left on the butt.
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: Heamoor
Subsequent action after recording: In a private collection, recorded for academic use
Chronology
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: MESOLITHIC
Subperiod to: Middle
Period to: NEOLITHIC
Date from: Circa 8300 BC
Date to: Circa 2900 BC
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 196 mm
Width: 76 mm
Thickness: 39 mm
Weight: 640 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 22nd July 2009 - Wednesday 22nd July 2009
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Other reference: 565.1
Materials and construction
Primary material: Flint
Manufacture method: Knapped/flaked
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Kent (County)
To be known as: West Hoath woods
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butler, C. | 2005 | Prehistoric Flintwork | Stroud | The History Press | 106 | fig 42, 3-4 |
Similar objects
Find number: ESS-615E34
Object type: TOOL
Broadperiod: PALAEOLITHIC
This retouched tool combines tools of two groups: a concave truncation burin and a straight truncation. The blade support on which the tool i…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: BERK-02E468
Object type: SCRAPER (TOOL)
Broadperiod: NEOLITHIC
A flint nose scraper on a plunging blade from a double platformed core, therefore of Mesolithic or Neolithic date (c. 8000-2400 BC). The obje…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: HESH-58BD44
Object type: SCRAPER (TOOL)
Broadperiod: NEOLITHIC
Flint scraper formed on tertiary debitage flake (from the third and final phase of tool making) dating from the Neolithic period (3500-2100 B…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618